If Ronald "B.J." McBryde has learned anything in five years with the UConn football program, it is those five words.

Two more work, too: No excuses.

Those seven words combined have buoyed a defensive lineman to the point that he will get free agent tryouts after the NFL draft, unless he gets drafted late. The first round is Thursday, followed by Rounds 2-3 Friday and 4-7 Saturday. The free agent route is a tough one, but he is used to adversity.

After redshirting under coach Randy Edsall in 2010, McBryde played in 30 career games with 33 tackles, including two for loss, in 12 starts (eight at defensive tackle) in 2014.

He has had four college coaches, from Edsall to Paul Pasqualoni to T.J. Weist and Bob Diaco. During his time in Storrs, his mother, Brenda, was having heart issues. His father, also named Ronald, was working hard and not taking care of himself, B.J. said.

In 2011, McBryde's sister Keli slipped into a coma and later died on his 20th birthday. She was 30. It was devastating. McBryde was close to his sister.

"I was letting myself be stopped by all the adversity I was going through while I was at UConn, having the different head coaches," McBryde said. "A lot of people didn't know I lost my sister during my time there. I had a lot of rough patches. I had a lot of things going on at home that I didn't want to tell a lot of people because I wanted to keep pressing through, but it affected me."

When anyone asked why his career wasn't what it might have been, he answered.

"A lot of coaches told me I had to get it together and my production wasn't as high as it should have been and I know that," McBryde said. "They would always ask why and I wouldn't always be honest because I didn't want to make excuses, man. I've learned I have to be honest about what's going on, but it shouldn't affect what's happening on the field, so I've learned a lot of lessons."

McBryde's senior season was his most productive. The 12 starts were the most in a season. He made 26 tackles, one for a loss, and batted down a pass. Still, it wasn't a season that would force NFL scouts to flock to Storrs to, for example, see him perform at UConn Pro Day, like they did for cornerback Byron Jones, even wide receiver Geremy Davis. But what are friends for?

The attention Jones and Davis drew with their performances at the NFL combine certainly meant the door could open for other UConn hopefuls. Twenty-nine NFL teams were represented. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and Eagles coach Chip Kelly were front and center.

So in reality McBryde was facing the last opportunity to make a go of a dream of playing at the next level. March 31 was the day.

Don't let you stop you. No excuses.

"The days leading up to Pro Day were filled with grind, working and keeping in mind Pro Day was important," McBryde said. "But also the workouts I might do, training and getting ready after that for a rookie mini-camp — all of that stuff was in mind. That was a huge aspect of the training, getting ready and preparing for the grind, the grind you're going to go through mentally and physically."

On March 31, McBryde ran two sub five-second 40-yard dashes. He benched 225 pounds 24 times and had a 10-foot-3 in the broad jump, tying wide receiver Deshon Foxx for the best of the day in that event. Nineteen defensive linemen ran five seconds-plus 40s at the combine . The 24 reps on the bench would have placed him in the top 15 and he would have tied for fourth in the broad jump.

So it was no surprise a lot of NFL representatives talked to McBryde after his workout.

Kelly and the Eagles spent the most time with him and actually called his father before the Pro Day, alerting him they had interest.

Since Pro Day McBryde has visited with the Kansas City Chiefs, whose general manager is UConn alum John Dorsey.

"He's a great guy," McBryde said of Dorsey. "I got a chance to meet a lot of people out there. It was a good time."

McBryde also worked out for the Patriots and on Friday, along with Jones and Davis, worked out for the Eagles.

"I got to work out with the D-line coach, some real nice work, change of direction stuff," McBryde said. "Did some things we did on Pro Day, some were part of the Eagles' defense and I enjoyed it. The type of defense they run, they said it fits me well, and I would have to agree. I feel like I would enjoy playing in that defense. I was really excited to see Philly come in the picture."

The Dolphins, Colts, Lions, Raiders, Redskins and Broncos called after Pro Day, wanting to get his contact information.